UK UK - Billie-Jo Jenkins, 13, Hastings, Sussex, 15 Feb 1997

[ekardh]

It's very telling for me that Sion Jenkins goes and sits in his car. That looks like he's trying to create plausible deniability for potential forensic evidence in the vehicle.
It's such a small window of opportunity.
Katerina Koneva is perhaps the most similar murder. Her dad arrived home as she was being attacked and then chased the killer, who turned out to be suspected serial killer Andrzej Kunowski.
The difference between the Jenkins and Koneva crime scenes is that in the Koneva case, the real killer left hair and fingerprint evidence behind.
It's difficult to believe that an opportunist killer wouldn't leave a fingerprint or any DNA when killing Billie Jo. He also doesn't seem to have ever struck again.

You're also forgetting that, according to Jenkins, the killer was still in the house and posed as a plain clothes officer.

 

[CSIAngus]

I have been reading some more on this case. One of the things that interests me is Sion's natural daughter claiming the gate was closed when they left for the DIY store and that it was open when they returned. It is said that she said this to the neighbour who was at the scene of Billie-Jo's death. I would be interested to know if the neighbour confirmed this and whether the daughter made this comment before having chance to speak with Sion.

I also wonder about the reports of a prowler and the numerous reports of the children feeling unsafe. A creep attacking Billy in a targeted attack after becoming fixated with her would be something I'd believe possible. Who was hanging around the park and who was making the family dog bark of an evening through the window?

The house next to the Jenkins' is of interest to me. I note from photographs that it had boarded windows and was used as a hostel for troubled people. Reports suggest that the Jenkins' garden was not entirely secure, being used by trespassers as a shortcut from the road behind. I am almost certain it would have been easily accessible from the adjacent hostel garden.

I would be interested to hear from neighbours, details of the supposed prowler and if the behaviour stopped after Billie-Jo's death. Was it just the Jenkins' house that was targeted? Or, were others the victim of the prowling?

The day of the attack seems very chaotic for the whole family. Lois forgot her check book at Sainsbury's and then an empty checkbook was brought. There was the forgetting of the clarinet lesson at Nicola Holt's house and then the white spirit shopping trip, where it's alleged that Sion went with no money.

A Word Press article claims that fragments of Billie-Jo's skull and brain tissue were exposed at the scene. It claims that the 999 call handler instructed Sion to move Billie-Jo's body in to a recovery position. The neighbour is said to have tried to stem the blood flow with a bin liner. Were her clothes examined for particles, just as Sion's were? They were at the scene before paramedics and when blood flow could have been at a different level.

What strikes me is that the weapon involved was a tent peg. I feel that it must have taken great force to do the level of damage done with such an instrument. It is fairly lightweight, compared to other weapons and there is potential for a struggle to take place. Would the attacker come away from the event with only microscopic traces of blood? I find it difficult to believe.

If the place was so unsafe with a boarded up property next door, prowlers, trespassers, dogs barking in the night, children worried, creeps hanging around the park, etc, etc. Why leave Billie-Jo home alone for a pointless DIY trip? SJ's account just does not make any sense, and as Judge Judy always says, if it doesn't make sense it's not true.

 

[Westchester76]

It's very telling for me that Sion Jenkins goes and sits in his car. That looks like he's trying to create plausible deniability for potential forensic evidence in the vehicle.
It's such a small window of opportunity.
Katerina Koneva is perhaps the most similar murder. Her dad arrived home as she was being attacked and then chased the killer, who turned out to be suspected serial killer Andrzej Kunowski.
The difference between the Jenkins and Koneva crime scenes is that in the Koneva case, the real killer left hair and fingerprint evidence behind.
It's difficult to believe that an opportunist killer wouldn't leave a fingerprint or any DNA when killing Billie Jo. He also doesn't seem to have ever struck again.

Absolutely. Jenkins seemed to do a lot of peculiar things, post murder. Such as the drive to the DIY shop, the sitting in the car and the story about the murderer disguising himself as a plain clothes policeman. He's guilty as sin for me.

 

[CrackerC119]

The theory about the 'plain clothed policeman' interests me. Unlike some other cases, I cannot see any reason for the police to 'close ranks' and cover up. For me, it is plausible that Billie-Jo's killer could have hid in the house and posed as a policeman. It was a busy street, it's entirely believable that the killer was unable to leave due to people walking past and his whilst they thought of a plan. The reports of a prowler, suggests to me that this could have been a calculated murder, which fits with the theory.

Then again, Sion did have a temper. The thought has crossed my mind that he hit BJ in anger and used the bin liner to stem her blood flow, in an attempt to save her. I am not sure that a tent peg could cause death from one blow though.

The glasses being found neatly placed suggests to me that it was a planned and calculated attack. It's as though this was a mark of completion.

Sion sitting in his car after the alleged discovery, could have been a form of escapism, trying to remove himself from a distressing situation. Then again, can it be ruled out that this was a tactic to distract forensics from the trail? The fact that he, seemingly purposely left his jacket at a neighbouring house also raises suspicions.

I really wish there was more information about the neighbour's statement.

 

[heartandsoul]

Hastings is a surprisingly small town for its size. Having grown up there in that same time period, I know several people who knew Billie and SJ. I completely believe he is both capable of, and guilty of, this crime. There is no doubt in my mind and it's incredibly frustrating that he is no longer in prison.

I find it hard to believe that Billie will now ever have justice, but I still have hope.

 

[CrackerC119]

Hastings is a surprisingly small town for its size. Having grown up there in that same time period, I know several people who knew Billie and SJ. I completely believe he is both capable of, and guilty of, this crime. There is no doubt in my mind and it's incredibly frustrating that he is no longer in prison.

I find it hard to believe that Billie will now ever have justice, but I still have hope.

What makes you believe he is capable of it, just out of interest?

As a side note, I read that SJ has links to Nonnington, Kent, where murdered Megan Russell went to school (Chillenden Murders, 1996). I am not saying the two cases are related but I find it a startling coincidence.

 

[heartandsoul]

What makes you believe he is capable of it, just out of interest?

His character and personality. I’m not sure how much I can say as he’s been acquitted.

Based on the people I know well who knew him at the time, he seems capable to me.

 

[Bickles]

Fresh heartache for family as forensic review of unsolved murder finds no clues

13-year-old Billie-Jo Jenkins was murdered in 1997 after being beaten with an iron tent peg - but 27 years on, her devastated family are still without answers as to who did it

www.mirror.co.uk

After a forensic review, no new clues have been found. I really feel for Billie-Jo's family.

 

[Westchester76]

It's unfathomable that Jenkins is a free man.

Not administrating CPR or putting the body in the recovery position. The bizarre journey to purchase White Spirit. Then, sitting in his car waiting for the police, and not comforting his daughters. Finally, his absurd suggestion that the killer stayed in the house and impersonated a policeman.

The strange man in the park is convenient to pin the blame on, but the killer more than likely wore gloves, and left no forensic evidence. Doesn’t sound like the work of a local oddball.

He did it, cleaned up afterwards, made the drive to the DIY shop to provide an alibi, sat in the car to cover any forensics found there, and made up the story about the policeman to throw a curveball into the investigation

 

[LaLaLadot]

I’ve just finished listening to a podcast and I have a couple of questions that it didn’t address.

1. How is Sion supposed to have cleaned himself up? Wouldn’t there have been a lot of blood from this type of attack? More than the microspots of blood found on his clothing that weren’t visible to the naked eye? How long would he have had to clean himself up?
2. Billie-Jo used to walk the dog on the park in front of the house. Isn’t it possible she was stalked and watched? Perhaps she came to the door after the rest of the family had left. Perhaps someone knew she was alone?
3. If the police thought/decided Sion was their man, isn’t it possible other leads weren’t followed?


Thanks,

 

[Terryb808]

3. If the police thought/decided Sion was their man, isn’t it possible other leads weren’t followed?

Good logic, sadly this is sometimes the case, make the case fit the suspect and ignore evidence that doesn’t fit.

 

[ekardh]

I’ve just finished listening to a podcast and I have a couple of questions that it didn’t address.

1. How is Sion supposed to have cleaned himself up? Wouldn’t there have been a lot of blood from this type of attack? More than the microspots of blood found on his clothing that weren’t visible to the naked eye? How long would he have had to clean himself up?
2. Billie-Jo used to walk the dog on the park in front of the house. Isn’t it possible she was stalked and watched? Perhaps she came to the door after the rest of the family had left. Perhaps someone knew she was alone?
3. If the police thought/decided Sion was their man, isn’t it possible other leads weren’t followed?


Thanks,

The fact Sion had any bloodstains on him at all is pretty damning. As are the following details:

• Sion Jenkins had admitted to physically abusing Billie-Joe in the past.
• His wife attested that he had a terrible rage when it came to Billie-Jo.
• Billie-Jo was being punished that day for a previous fallout with Jenkins.
• There was only a 10 minute window for the phantom killer to strike while Jenkins took the girls on a pointless drive to the DIY store.
• Jenkins neglecting to check if Billie-Jo was still breathing or put her into the recovery position.
• Jenkins not bothering to call emergency services until a neighbour prompted him to.

 

[iamshadow21]

I’ve just finished listening to a podcast and I have a couple of questions that it didn’t address.

1. How is Sion supposed to have cleaned himself up? Wouldn’t there have been a lot of blood from this type of attack? More than the microspots of blood found on his clothing that weren’t visible to the naked eye? How long would he have had to clean himself up?
2. Billie-Jo used to walk the dog on the park in front of the house. Isn’t it possible she was stalked and watched? Perhaps she came to the door after the rest of the family had left. Perhaps someone knew she was alone?
3. If the police thought/decided Sion was their man, isn’t it possible other leads weren’t followed?


Thanks,

Microspots are actually pretty damning as they likely came from blood that has become airborne or even aerosolised in an attack.

A good Samaritan won't get that kind of blood on them, generally.

MOO

 

[tlorik]

Just read an article on why the Ministry of Justice threw out SJ's claim for $500k for wrongful imprisonment. Unsure if this new source is quotable here, but interesting reading if anyone wants to Google it.

 

[tes1984]

Wasn't the major red flag SJ going off to sit in his car?

 

[LaLaLadot]

The fact Sion had any bloodstains on him at all is pretty damning. As are the following details:

• Sion Jenkins had admitted to physically abusing Billie-Joe in the past.
• His wife attested that he had a terrible rage when it came to Billie-Jo.
• Billie-Jo was being punished that day for a previous fallout with Jenkins.
• There was only a 10 minute window for the phantom killer to strike while Jenkins took the girls on a pointless drive to the DIY store.
• Jenkins neglecting to check if Billie-Jo was still breathing or put her into the recovery position.
• Jenkins not bothering to call emergency services until a neighbour prompted him to.

I’m really wondering how one would be able to strike that number of times and not be covered in a lot of blood though.

 

[Konstantin]

Sion's book about the murder is actually rather chilling. I wouldn't advise buying it as that will give him money but if you can find a copy somewhere it is quite telling.

 

[Konstantin]

Wasn't the major red flag SJ going off to sit in his car?

That, and all the other red flags, including his weird and pointless drive to the DIY shop for white spirit that he already had at home, when he was on the phone to emergency services they asked him if Billie Jo was still breathing and Sion said he hadn't checked, he didn't put her in the recovery position or do anything to help her, but claimed the blood spatter was from a bubble of blood in her nose. But he didn't go near her, according to him, to see if she was breathing. She had gone to school with bruises before, his wife later said he was abusive and she was scared of him.

There are many more.

Sion lied multiple times on his CV to make him sound far more than he was, which doesn't make him a murderer but it shows his personality, grandiosity, willingness to lie for personal gain, deception.

 

[Terryb808]

I know the basic overview of this case and have to say the evidence, his actions (or lack of them) broadcast his guilt.
There’s not enough of a time window for anyone else to have murdered her and got clean away.
He basically made no attempt to save her, the opposite in fact, no normal person reacts this way.
The autopsy report would most likely answer a lot of the questions raised up thread, especially the ones related to blood spatter.
But I guess this has never been released in the public domain.

 

[CSIAngus]

SJ's wife voted with her feet. I have absolutely no doubt who murdered Billie-Jo. Six years behind bars was not enough and it is no surprise that he was refused compensation on release.